By: Michelle Zhen
On April 21, about a dozen students gathered in a semicircle hosted in Brooklyn College (BC)’s 3309 James Hall to admire selected works of professional photography from “Across the Afro-Latinx Diaspora”, as described on the promotional poster. With refreshments in hand, a screen projected an artist’s life’s work, from the residents of his dear hometown to a COVID-era graphic featuring his plants.
The Black and Latino Male Initiative (BLMI) and Puerto Rican Latin Studies (PRLS) Department hosted the fifth of their Cafecito Lounge series. This event was hosted in collaboration with artist Alex Rivera, a Dominican photographer known professionally as “The Bronxer”.
“We started the series in the fall semester, knowing that we wanted to bring in creatives that were at the intersection of the Black Latino Male Initiative and Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies. So this is a joint effort. And because we started with a lot of authors, […] we thought, well, we’d like to culminate with a photographer,” said Dr. Carla España, Professor in the PRLS department and co-organizer for this event.
Rivera is an accomplished photographer, graphic designer, cinematographer, muralist, and clothing designer, though his presentation focused on his work as a photographer. Born and raised in the Bronx, Rivera moved to the Dominican Republic for two years, eventually finding his way back to New York City.
“I think my favorite point was when he said one of his dream projects is to use the land that he has in [the] Dominican Republic as a space for creatives to go and stay, […] kind of like an artist residency. […] He called it like a creative haus, H-A-U-S,” Dr. España recalled.
Beyond his passion projects, he has worked with various advertisers to portray their products both accurately and appealingly. Coupled with his skills in graphic design, he takes the visions of both his clients and himself when deciding how a product may be properly portrayed.
“How do you not superimpose [what you’re taking a picture of]? How do you not take away the trash can? […] Like, how do you not take away the crazy guy running around? Like, how do you make that also look like a Renaissance painting? So that’s what goes through my mind […] The freedom of it,” Rivera explained.
Outside of freelance work, his work illustrates his perspective of the world and portrays it accurately to others.
Citing the Bronx as the most misunderstood among the boroughs, Rivera spoke of his vow to show the world the truth of the Bronx and how friendly it can truly be.
“There’s so many people in the Bronx that not only love the Bronx [but also] want to expose the Bronx to a bigger platform,” said Jeremy Aaron, a BC senior. “They’re also not afraid to tell their stories or, you know, tell the truth, […] anything that’s necessary.”
However, his work extends beyond what the audience sees; a huge factor in Rivera’s career is networking and maintaining professional relationships.
“The bread and butter is my social skills with people. I want you to feel as comfortable as you can when you speak with me, not like, ‘Oh my God, I’m speaking to a cyborg.’ […] We want you to feel good that you could say ideas, and we could say yes or no to them,” Rivera said.
Rivera offered advice to the aspiring creatives who hope to work with large corporations in the future: Remember your worth and stay grounded.
“Although these corporate beings are so powerful […], they don’t work unless you’re the one that’s giving [your work] out. You’re the one that’s bringing new customers in.”
For more information about Alex Rivera, visit his website: www.thebronxer.com.